Inhabited by Kalingo people since the 13th century, and prior to that by other Amerindians, Barbados was visited by Spanish navigators in the late 15th century and claimed for the Spanish Crown. It first appears on a Spanish map from 1511. The Portuguese visited the island in 1536, but they left it unclaimed, with their only remnants being an introduction of wild hogs for a good supply of meat whenever the island was visited. An English ship, the Olive Blossom, arrived in Barbados in 1625; its men took possession of it in the name of King James I. In 1627, the first permanent settlers arrived from England, and it became an English and later British colony.

Barbados (Typically Tropical song)

"Barbados" was a UKNumber 1 single released in May 1975 by Typically Tropical. "Barbados" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 37 in late June 1975, and five weeks later was at Number 1 for a week. In total, "Barbados" spent eleven weeks on the chart. The track also reached Number 1 on the Irish Singles Chart, Number 1 on the South African Singles Chart, and 20 on the Australian Singles Chart (Kent Music Report). The track was later released on an album in 1975 by Gull Records. The album was named Barbados Sky.